Chattanooga church elder accused of rape

A Chattanooga church elder remains in jail on a $900,000 bond facing six counts of rape and six counts of sexual battery by an authority figure.

Cecil Glenn Powe Jr., 37, reportedly told police he came into the bedroom of the victim while she was sleeping and began licking her breasts and performing oral sex. He admitted that the incidents happened five to six times over the last month, according to a Chattanooga police arrest report.

When confronted about the accusations, he initially told an investigator he didn't want to discuss what happened.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press does not name victims of sex cases.

According to a church Facebook account for United Tabernacle Church of God in Christ, Powe is a church elder who gave a sermon at a revival last month.

A call was not returned to the church's pastor, Ronnie Powe Sr., at his home Tuesday afternoon. The church's voicemail box was full. It is unclear whether the suspect and the pastor are related.

On Cecil Powe's personal Facebook page, he identifies himself as a preacher. He has 553 friends.

"I'm a simple guy. I don't ask for much. I'm the type of dude that demands respect because I give it. I love God, love family, love life," Powe writes.

Powe's next court date is set for March 12 before Hamilton County General Sessions Court Judge Christine Sell.